The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, MAY 25, 1880.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 124, 25 May 1880, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, MAY 25, 1880.

At the District Court this morning, Edward Atmore, who had been summoned as a juror, failed to answer his name and was ordered to be fined 20s and costs. Later in the day however, Mr Atmore put in his appearance and pleaded that the matter had entirely escaped his memory. His Honor remitted the fine, but expressed the hope that the fact of the penalty having been placed upon him might prove a refresher to his memory in the future. Owing to the the unfavorable state of the weather, the concert which was to have been given at Riahmond by the Wesleyan choir and band last night was postponed until Friday next when it will take place in the new school-room As there is a good deal of curiosity expressed just now as to the powers and duties of a Grand Jury when a bill of indictment is presented to them, we have endeavored to ascertain as nearly as we can the law of the matter, and we believe it to be this; The I

Graidl Jisr^ must consißt of twelve at least, aud may contain any greater number, not exceeding tsventy-three. All the proceedings before a Grand Jury are strictly secret, and they hear the evidence on the part of the prosecutor only. The prosecutor or his solicitor may appear before them, and conduct the examination of witnesses for the prosecution. The defendant has no right to be represented by counsel, it being only a preliminary investigation, and not conclusive on him. Twelve at least of the jury must concur in finding a Bill» The Naval Brigade's ball, held at the pVovinciul Hall last night, was but moderately attended, owing to the wretched state of the weather. Nevertheless those who were present thoroughly enjoyed tbem&eives, d,nd dancing was kept up with much spirit until au early hour this morning. The ball was opened with a grand march, which, while it was being performed, gave the Hall an exceedingly pretty effect. The decorations were not nearly so profuse as they generally are when the Blue Jackets are holding a ball. As a holiday the Queen's Birthday this year was a sad failure ;About eleven o'clock rivers of rain began to fall, and during the whole day it never ceased to pour more or less heavily, so that all the various amusements were put a stop to. The Volunteers, although there was a good muster and no less than 123 had entered for the several competitions, were compelled to cease firing, and to return to their homes in a sorry plight, soaked to the skin, and disgusted with the weather. The children, under the leadership of "Old Ben," were driven to take shelter in the Drill Shed, where the 900 of them who sat down to tea punished the buns and cakes provided for them very severely, and on the whole did not appear to be bo much put out by the heavy downpour as were their seniors." The evening amusements were also a failure. At the Theatre Koyal the entrance money had to be returned to the few who had ventured out in the wet, with a positive assurance, however, that " weather or no," the panorama would be displayed, and the conundrum prizes awarded on Wednesday evening. From whatever point of view it is regarded, the Queen's Birthday 1880 has left behind it no pleasant memories for the people of Nelson. Tiie annual meeting of the Stoke Volunteer ltifles was held at the Agricultural Hall, Richmond, on Saturday, the 22nd instant, when there were about 45 members present, Captain R. J. Malcolm in the chair. The Treasurer produced the audited accounts which showed the Company to be in a good financial position and were adopted. It was resolved that the Management Committee procure at once through Messrs Hodder and Co. from Hobson & Sons of London, a scarlot uniform with blue facings and white enamel belts. The plan propossd last year of not issuing ammunition gratis, but selling it to members at the rate of five shilling pi r hundred has proved successful iv affording the shooting men of the Cotnpaay more opportunities for practice, and it was resolved to adopt the same again. Lieut. Paynter was re-elected Treasurer, and Volunteer C. Chiug Secretary. Management and Firing Committees were also elected, and a committee was appointed to make arrangements for an annual dinner which is to take place shortly. Persons who wish to avail themselves of the sale by auction on Friday next, at Colliugwood, of steam engine, quarty-crushing battery and mining plant, will do well to bear in mind that the Lady Barkly leaves Nelson for Collingwood this evening at 6 o'clock, for the conveyance of intending purchasers to the sale. At the annual meeting of the subscribers to the Hope and Ranzau Library on Friday eveuing last, Messrs Edmunds, Hooper, Painton, Cowles, Jeasop sen., Malcolm, and Jessop, were elected members of the Committee ; Mr Thorburn, Librarian ; Mr . W. Jessop, sen., Treasurer ; and Mr Cowles Secretary. We understand it is the intention of the Committee to opeu the Reading Room four times a week, from 4 to 5 o'clock on Monday af te'noons, and from 7 to 9 o'clock on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Books will be exchanged on Monday afternoon and Wednesday evening only. The annual subscription has been reduced to 5s iv the hope that a larger number of persons may be induced to subscribe. The incoming San Francisco mail will prcbably be late again this month, for we learn that the s.s. City of New York, with the English mails of the 22nd cf April, did not leave San Francisco till the 10th instant, two days after the proper time. In the course of his speech at Leeston the other day the Premier said: — The Ministry had heard there wag to be a compact and organised Opposition. He hoped it would exist, for such an Opposition waa a most useful body to keep a proper check on the Govenment. He trusted, however, there •would not exist an Opposition -who would lose much valuable time in desultory discussion. They had been told that Sir George Grey would sound the key-note of opposition, and he had done so in advocating an elective Governor. This he (Mr Hall) would resist to the utmost, as they could not expect any gentleman to occupy an unbiassed position who had been placed in that position by a party. He (Mr Hall) never for one moment would support a proposition which would end in their severment from the mother country, and the establishment of a petty republic. If they thought they preferred a Government which did not go round the country, neglecting the state of the finances of the colony while ventilating visionary remedies, but a Government which would work and use their best endeavors to place the colony on a sound financial basis, he would ask their confidence and support, and that of the people generally, for the gentlemen who were associated with, him in carrying on the present Government.